Posts Tagged ‘Kolbin Vitek’
Not Signing Free Agent Because Of Draft Pick is Crazy
Let me start with, I agree teams should build from within through a strong farm system.
But this idea that teams – like the Red Sox – can’t sign free agents that require draft pick compensation is nonsense.
I get as Rob Bradford writes, the pick could turn out to be a quality major leaguer.
But the baseball draft is a crapshoot.
For every Mike Trout (taken #25 in 2009 – what were the other teams thinking?), there is a Daniel Moskos (taken #4 in 2007 – one pick ahead of Matt Wieters, not the money-saving move Pittsburgh was hoping for).
So if the Red Sox think Adam LaRoche (not Mike Napoli and his rumored injury risk) is the answer for the team over the next three years at first base, sign him.
Would you do a trade to acquire a proven major leaguer like LaRoche for:
- Kolbrin Vitek – drafted by Boston in the first round in 2010? Yes.
- Bryce Brentz – drafted by Boston in first secondary round in 2010? Maybe yes, maybe no.
- Anthony Ranaudo – drafted by Boston in first secondary round in 2010? Yes.
- Reymond Fuentes – drafted by Boston in first round in 2009? Yes.
- Bryan Price – drafted by Boston in first secondary round in 2008? Yes.
That said, it is not something a team should do every year because that move reduces their chances at striking gold high in the draft.
And the quality of the upcoming draft should factor into the consideration. With strong draft years something to weigh into holding onto picks.
Lastly, because the Red Sox were among the worst ten teams in baseball last season, free agent compensation would be a second – not a first – pick (and Boston would lose draft money available for that pick too). A position the Red Sox may not find themselves in again (if GM Ben Cherington did a good job this off-season).
A pure philosophy of avoiding free agents because of compensation is wrong-headed.
Just like how trading prospects for established major leaguers typically works out for the team acquiring the proven big leaguer, go for the major league talent.
The Red Sox say they aim to contend in 2013 and to do so, the team needs a quality a first baseman.
If LaRoche is the best choice – sign him, don’t worry about the draft pick.
What do you think? Should the Red Sox hoard their picks – or use them to sign free agents?
Red Sox Prospects Update
OF Bryce Brentz is having a breakout year – after hitting .198 Avg. in his professional debut last season with the Lowell Spinners. Brentz is tied for the Red Sox system HR lead with 19. Already promoted from Greenville to Salem, it will be interesting to see if Brentz earns some time with AA Portland this year.
Keith Law updated his top 50 MLB prospect list (subscription required). The only Red Sox prospect to make the list was Portland Sea Dogs 3B Will Middlebrooks (#42) – who enjoyed playing in the recent Futures Game. The Blue Jays had 4 players and Yankees and Rays each placed 3 prospects in the top 50.
Milton, Mass. native Alex Hassan is quietly having a breakout year in Portland – drawing comparisons to no less than Kevin Youkilis. I saw Hassan demonstrate his quick bat last night, ripping a 98 mph fastball for 1 of his 2 hits in the Eastern League All-Star game.
Last year’s top draft pick 3B Kolbin Vitek says he continues to make adjustments while adapting to playing every day in pro ball. At High-A Salem, Vitek is posting okay numbers – .272 Avg. with 10 SBs but not much pop, 1 HR, 26 RBIs.
Quick Hits
- Lowell Spinners 3B Travis Shaw discussed learning the game from his dad – former MLB All-Star reliever Jeff Shaw.
- Stolmy Pimentel recently demoted from Portland had a shaky start in his season debut for Salem.
- Sea Dog Tim Federowicz spoke with Matt Goisman about his college days as catcher for Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller.
- Over the Monster weighed in with the blog’s mid-season Red Sox prospect report.
Albie Jarvis
